History of Martha Stewart in Timeline

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer, and television personality best known for founding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her company focuses on home and hospitality, building a vast empire through publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce. She has authored numerous bestselling books, published Martha Stewart Living magazine, and hosted syndicated television programs such as 'Martha Stewart Living' and 'The Martha Stewart Show', making her a household name in the lifestyle and entertainment industries.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 3, 1941: Martha Stewart Born

On August 3, 1941, Martha Helen Stewart (née Kostyra) was born. She is an American retail business woman, writer, and television personality.

July 1961: Marriage to Andrew Stewart

In July 1961, Martha Stewart married Andrew Stewart, who had finished his law degree at Yale Law School.

1967: Career as a Stockbroker

In 1967, Martha Stewart began a second career as a stockbroker, following in her father-in-law's profession.

1976: Started a Catering Business

In 1976, Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with Norma Collier, a friend from her modeling days.

1977: Catering The Secret Book of Gnomes party

In 1977, Andrew Stewart released the English-language edition of The Secret Book of Gnomes and contracted Martha Stewart's company to cater the book release party.

Gnomes

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December 13, 1982: Publication of 'Entertaining'

On December 13, 1982, Martha Stewart's first book, Entertaining, ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes, was published.

Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

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1983: Publication of Martha Stewart's Quick Cook

In 1983, following the success of 'Entertaining', Martha Stewart released 'Martha Stewart's Quick Cook' under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus

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1984: Publication of Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres

In 1984, Martha Stewart released 'Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres' under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook

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1985: Publication of Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts

In 1985, Martha Stewart released 'Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts' under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites: A Baking Book

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1987: Separation from Andrew Stewart

In 1987, Andrew and Martha Stewart separated.

1987: Publication of Weddings

In 1987, Martha Stewart released 'Weddings' (ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes) under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

Weddings

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1988: Releases of Books

In 1988, Martha Stewart released 'The Wedding Planner', 'Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining', and 'Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus'.

Martha Stewart Weddings: Ideas and Inspiration

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1989: Publication of Martha Stewart's Christmas

In 1989, Martha Stewart released 'Martha Stewart's Christmas'.

Martha Stewart's Christmas

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1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart

In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart divorced.

1990: Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 1990, Martha Stewart signed with Time Publishing Ventures to develop a new magazine, Martha Stewart Living, for which Stewart would serve as editor-in-chief. The first issue was released in late 1990.

1993: Martha Stewart Living TV Program

In 1993, Martha Stewart began a weekly half-hour television program, also called Martha Stewart Living, based on her magazine.

May 1995: New York Magazine Cover

In May 1995, New York Magazine declared Martha Stewart "the definitive American woman of our time" on their cover.

September 1997: Creation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In September 1997, Martha Stewart secured funding to purchase various ventures and consolidate them into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). She also launched a companion website and a catalog business called Martha by Mail.

1997: Expansion of Television Program

In 1997, Martha Stewart's television program, Martha Stewart Living, expanded to weekdays.

October 19, 1999: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Goes Public

On October 19, 1999, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange (MSO) at US$18 per share, rallying to US$38 by the end of trading, making Stewart a billionaire on paper and the first female self-made billionaire in the United States.

1999: Expansion of TV Program

In 1999, Martha Stewart Living expanded to a full hour show during the weekdays and half-hour episodes on weekends.

December 27, 2001: Sale of ImClone Systems Stock

On December 27, 2001, Martha Stewart sold all 3,928 shares of her ImClone Systems stock after receiving nonpublic information, avoiding a loss of $45,673.

February 2002: Stock Price Decline

By February 2002, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's stock price slowly went down to $16 per share.

June 25, 2002: Grilled on The Early Show

On June 25, 2002, CBS anchor Jane Clayson grilled Martha Stewart on the air about ImClone during her regular segment on The Early Show, to which Stewart responded by focusing on her salad.

October 3, 2002: Resignation from NYSE Board

On October 3, 2002, Martha Stewart resigned from the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange.

2002: Peak Circulation of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 2002, Martha Stewart Living magazine reached its peak circulation at more than 2 million copies per issue.

June 4, 2003: Indictment by Grand Jury

On June 4, 2003, Martha Stewart was indicted by a grand jury on nine counts, including charges of obstruction of justice.

January 2004: Trial Begins

In January 2004, Martha Stewart's trial began, focusing on her ImClone stock sale.

March 2004: Conviction on Felony Charges

In March 2004, after a six-week jury trial, Martha Stewart was found guilty of felony charges, including conspiracy to obstruct, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators.

July 2004: Sentencing

In July 2004, Martha Stewart was sentenced to a five-month term in a federal correctional facility and a two-year period of supervised release (including five months of electronic monitoring).

2004: Confinement in Federal Prison Camp

Despite Martha Stewart's wish to be incarcerated in Connecticut or Florida, in 2004 she was confined in Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia.

2004: End of Television Program

In 2004, Martha Stewart Living ended its run.

2004: Derivative Suit Dismissed

In 2004, a derivative suit brought by Monica Beam, a shareholder of MSLO, against Martha Stewart and other directors and officers of the company was ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of Delaware.

2004: End of Martha Stewart Living TV Show

In 2004, the Martha Stewart Living TV show, which began as a weekly half-hour program in 1993, concluded its run.

March 2005: Release from Federal Prison

In March 2005, Martha Stewart was released from federal prison after serving five months for felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case.

2005: The Martha Stewart Show Premiere

In 2005, Martha Stewart began hosting The Martha Stewart Show, a syndicated television program.

August 2006: Settlement with SEC

In August 2006, the SEC announced a settlement in the civil case against Martha Stewart. She agreed to disgorge $58,062 and pay a civil penalty of $137,019, and was banned for five years from serving as a director, CEO, CFO, or any other officer role responsible for preparing, auditing, or disclosing financial results of any public company.

2006: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Returns to Profitability

In 2006, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia returned to profitability after Stewart began a comeback campaign following her prison term.

June 2008: UK Visa Refusal

In June 2008, the UK Border Agency refused to grant Martha Stewart a visa to enter the United Kingdom because of her criminal conviction for obstructing justice.

2011: Rejoining the Board of Directors

In 2011, Martha Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

2012: Chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In 2012, Martha Stewart became chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia again.

2012: End of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2012, The Martha Stewart Show, which began in 2005, ended its run.

2015: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Acquired

In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was acquired by Sequential Brands.

April 2019: Sale to Marquee Brands

In April 2019, Sequential Brands Group agreed to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.

2019: Entering the Cannabis Industry

In 2019, it was reported that Martha Stewart was entering the cannabis industry with her own brand.

2023: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover

In 2023, at the age of 81, Martha Stewart became the oldest woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue magazine.

2024: Netflix Documentary

In 2024, Martha Stewart was the subject of a Netflix documentary titled Martha directed by R. J. Cutler.

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2024: Currency Conversion

In 2024, the equivalent value of the initial public offering (IPO) price of US$18 per share in 1999 would be $34, and the rally to US$38 would be equivalent to $72.